The Jessie Cheng Charitable Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on San Francisco–based arts and culture, providing significant support to major visual and performing arts institutions. Grants are sizable and directed to established cultural organizations, suggesting a preference for sustaining flagship institutions that serve the Bay Area arts ecosystem.
Few, relatively large grants focused on a small number of established arts organizations; evidence of repeat giving (two grants) to the Asian Art Museum and one significant gift to the Symphony.
Jessie Cheng Charitable Foundation shows a clear preference for San Francisco cultural institutions, with its largest recent grant going to the Asian Art Museum for $54,420 in 2024 and another $50,000 grant in 2025. The pattern points to sustained support for established arts organizations rather than one-off project funding. San Francisco Symphony is another recurring recipient, receiving $50,000 in 2023, $15,000 in 2024, and $17,500 in 2025, which indicates a multi-year relationship across consecutive grant cycles. The foundation also appears in civic and community-serving philanthropy alongside arts giving, including support for organizations such as Commonwealth Club, Willie Brown Institute on Politics and Public Service, and Chinese Hospital. Its grants are generally directed to tax-exempt nonprofits with charitable purposes, and the listed purposes are broad enough to suggest flexible support. Within the recent grants shown, the foundation’s giving is concentrated around Bay Area institutions that anchor arts, civic discourse, youth services, and community health in San Francisco.
Arts and culture are central to the Jessie Cheng Charitable Foundation’s giving. It provided $54,420 to Asian Art Museum in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025, both for the recipient’s charitable purposes. Classical music is another clear thread: San Francisco Symphony received $50,000 in 2023, followed by $15,000 in 2024 and $17,500 in 2025. The foundation also supports civic and public-service organizations. In 2025, it gave $20,000 to Willie Brown Institute on Politics and Public Service and $20,000 to Commonwealth Club. Community health and neighborhood support appear as well, including $11,025 to Chinese Hospital and $5,000 to Chinatown Community Development Center in 2025.
Typical grants are small to mid-sized, with a p25 of $910, a median of $2,000, and a p75 of $3,500. The recent grants list also shows a few larger awards, which suggests a mix of routine support and higher-dollar institutional gifts. Recipients appear across multiple years, including Asian Art Museum, San Francisco Symphony, Chinese Hospital, Commonwealth Club, and Center for Asian American Media, pointing to repeat giving rather than single grants only. Jessie Cheng Charitable Foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The listed award language is broad and reads as charitable-purpose support.
$244K
$2.9M
$355K
$268K
Most grants fall between $910 and $4K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$910
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$4K
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Notable grantees: Asian Art Museum, San Francisco Symphony, Other San Francisco-based flagship arts institutions
Giving is highly local and centered in California: 87% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and California is also the top state by grant count. The recent grants are concentrated in San Francisco, with additional Bay Area recipients in Livermore and Menlo Park. Outside California, one named recipient appears in New York City: Cello Makes Everything Better in New York, NY. The overall recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The recent grants show support for arts and culture, civic and public-service groups, and community health organizations. Examples include the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco Symphony, Commonwealth Club, Willie Brown Institute on Politics and Public Service, and Chinese Hospital.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Asian Art Museum, San Francisco Symphony, Chinese Hospital, Commonwealth Club, and Center for Asian American Media. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated grants.
The grant-size distribution is small to mid-sized overall: p25 is $910, median is $2,000, and p75 is $3,500. The recent grants list also includes larger awards, such as $54,420 to Asian Art Museum.
Its giving is concentrated in California, which receives 87% of grants, and San Francisco recipients dominate the recent grants list. The top state by grant count is CA.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASIAN ART MUSEUM | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| CELLO MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| COMMONWEALTH CLUB | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| WILLIE BROWN INSTITUTE ON POLITICS AND PUBLIC SERVICE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $17,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| COMMUNITY YOUTH CENTER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $12,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| CHINESE HOSPITAL | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $11,025 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| NORTH BEACH CITIZENS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,250 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| JOHN BURTON ADVOCATE FOR YOUTH | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| SAN FRANCISCO HOST COMMITTEE | MENLO PARK, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| SAN FRANCISCO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| CHINATOWN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| COMMUNITY HEALTH & EDUCATION FOUNDATION | LIVERMORE, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| BROOKER WASHINGTON COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| CENTER FOR ASIAN AMERICAN MEDIA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| SPUR | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| ROSE PACK COMMUNITY FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| TELEGRAPH HILL NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $3,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| CHARITY CULTURAL SERVICES CENTER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| ANGEL ISLAND IMMIGRATION STATION FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,800 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| PACIFIC CHAMBER ORCHESTRA | LIVERMORE, CA | $2,583 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| JEWISH FILM INSTITUTE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,512 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| SAN FRANCISCO FILM SOCIETY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| SAN FRANCISCO ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| CHINESE FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| BUCHANAN YMCA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| SAN FRANCISCO HEP B FREE CAMPAIGN | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| PACIFIC ASIAN AMERICAN WOMEN BAY AREA COALITION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER CULTURAL CENTER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| MARINE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART | NOVATO, CA | $1,100 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| SAN FRANCISCO SEOUL SISTER CITY COMMMITTEE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,020 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| SELF-HELP FOR THE ELDERLY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,015 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| ASIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| SAN FRANCISCO HO CHI MIN CITY SISTER COMMITTEE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| HAWAII CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| CHINESE CULTURAL FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| GOLDEN GATE LABRADOR RETRIEVER RESCUE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| CATHY POST FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $850 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | DALLAS, TX | $768 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| ASIAN IMPROV ART | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $531 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| NEXT VILLAGE SAN FRANCISCO | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $518 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| YMCA OF SAN FRANCISCO | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $250 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| SIEMPRE UNIDOS | MILL VALLEY, CA | $250 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| COLON CANCER COALITION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $107 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| ASIAN ART MUSEUM | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $54,420 | 2024 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| PACIFIC CHAMBER ORCHESTRA | LIVERMORE, CA | $7,575 | 2024 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
| NORTTH BEACH CITIZENS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $6,000 | 2024 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES. |
ASIAN ART MUSEUM
$50,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
CELLO MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER
$20,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
$20,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
WILLIE BROWN INSTITUTE ON POLITICS AND PUBLIC SERVICE
$20,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
COMMUNITY YOUTH CENTER
$12,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
CHINESE HOSPITAL
$11,025PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
NORTH BEACH CITIZENS
$5,250PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
JOHN BURTON ADVOCATE FOR YOUTH
$5,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
SAN FRANCISCO HOST COMMITTEE
$5,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
COMMUNITY HEALTH & EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$5,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
SPUR
$5,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
ROSE PACK COMMUNITY FUND
$5,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
TELEGRAPH HILL NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER
$3,500PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
CHARITY CULTURAL SERVICES CENTER
$3,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
ANGEL ISLAND IMMIGRATION STATION FOUNDATION
$2,800PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PACIFIC CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
$2,583PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
SAN FRANCISCO ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS FOUNDATION
$2,500PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
CHINESE FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
$2,500PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
BUCHANAN YMCA
$2,500PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
SAN FRANCISCO HEP B FREE CAMPAIGN
$2,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PACIFIC ASIAN AMERICAN WOMEN BAY AREA COALITION
$2,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER CULTURAL CENTER
$1,500PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
MARINE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
$1,100PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
SAN FRANCISCO SEOUL SISTER CITY COMMMITTEE
$1,020PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
SAN FRANCISCO HO CHI MIN CITY SISTER COMMITTEE
$1,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION
$1,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
HAWAII CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
$1,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
CHINESE CULTURAL FOUNDATION
$1,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
GOLDEN GATE LABRADOR RETRIEVER RESCUE
$1,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
CATHY POST FOUNDATION
$850PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
ASIAN IMPROV ART
$531PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
NEXT VILLAGE SAN FRANCISCO
$518PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
SIEMPRE UNIDOS
$250PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
COLON CANCER COALITION
$107PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
ASIAN ART MUSEUM
$54,420PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
PACIFIC CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
$7,575PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
NORTTH BEACH CITIZENS
$6,000PROVIDE FUNDS TO ASSIST RECIPIENT'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES.